Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1887-12-17
DIED GAME.
Execution Of ThurstOn Lee
at Bakersfield.
AN ACCOUNT OF HIS CRIME.
His Last Night ON Earth "A
Hearty Sleep-On the Scat
fOld-Closing Scenes.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HrnAro.l

BAKERSFIELD, CAL, December 16.--
Thurston Lee was hanged at 2 O'Clock
this afternoon for tile murder Of John
Smith, in March 1887. Smiths body
was found near White Wolf Springs.
at the bottom of deep gulch, and
subsequent Investigations proved that
he left Bakersfield a short time before
for New Mexico, in company with
tue two brothers, Thurston and
Theodore Lee. The men were arrested
in New Mexico, and Smiths horse
and some of his clothing found in the
possession of Thurston, who was after
wards convicted of murder. The
other brother is still in Jail hero
awaiting t ial. Thurston Lee made .
written confession few days ago, and
exonerated his brother from all con-
nection with the murder. He declined
to state why he had killed Smith.
LEES LAST HOURS
We're passed in company with his
brother, father and spiritual adviser.
Thursday night until IL O'Clock he
played euchre with his brother Theo-
dore, when he retired and slept
soundly until 80. On Friday morn
ing when he was awakened he par
took OF his usual light breakfast, after
which he was shaved and presented
with a suit Of clothes, being very par
ticular about their fitting him prop
erly, and he requested that dotted
handkerchief instead Of white one
be furnished him, which request was
granted. At 2 O'Clock the preparnr
tons for the march to The scaf0ld
were completed, the straps having
been adjusted 80 as to allow him to
use his legs and right hand. He
then accompanied Sheriff Met orolson
to the scafold, the Sheriff hol.lirg
him by the coat sleeve. When coming
out OF the rear entrance to the Jail,
which is At the foot of the incline
LEADING TO THE soAFFoLD
He stopped and shook hands with his
acquaintances and said goodbye.
Then turning to the crowd he added:
&c ntlelnen, bid you all good bve."
After rea"hing the scatfold he turned
to his attorneys and shook each by
the hand and bid them goodbye.
He said, "Mr. Mahon, l thank you
for what you have done for me. Do
all you can for my brother" Then
turning around toward the crowd he
remarked: Il have committed .
great crime and I am going to suffer
Tor 1t. am sorry that did it.. I
warn all young men to let whisky
alone" He then stepped to the mid
die OF the trap and asked,
"sHALL STAND HERE?"
At the same time looking down at
his feet. His right hand was then
strapped and the moose placed over
his head and adjusted. As the black.
cap was about to he placed over
his head he said: 81 desir. to speak
again," AMI in clear voice said:
"My brother is charged with the
same crime that l am; he is inno-
cent, and knows nothing about it.
Gentlemen, l bid you all goodbye"
The cap was then drawn over his
head, and the next instant
THE TRAP WAS SPRUNG.
On reaching the end of the rope the
body rebounded about foot, then re-
manned motionle few seconds, then
the feet We're drawn upward few
inches, the chest heaved twice, rs il
he were taking long breath, and all
was over. Fourteen minutes after the
drop was sprung he was pronounced
dead by the physicians. He was %
years Of aye.